Tag: music

The Ultimate AC/DC Concert Experience in Madrid

Back in February, we asked our youngest son, Jude, what he wanted for his 16th birthday, which was in July. We were expecting the usual football boots or goalkeeping gloves. What we weren’t expecting was his answer:

“I want to go see AC/DC in Madrid!”

Very left-field, but we said OK and began our quest to find tickets. The day the tickets went on sale, we went online — and we were 34,374th in the queue! Not a chance, I said, and then the computer blinked — and two tickets came up. Restricted view tickets, they said, but seeing as it was AC/DC, if viewing was a problem, hearing definitely wouldn’t be. The tickets were booked, along with our 75% resident-discounted flights and a hotel.

Last weekend, we both headed off to Madrid — my son very excited, and me looking forward to it, but not sure if I would enjoy it or not. The Riyadh Air Metropolitano Stadium is home to Atlético Madrid football club. We’d been there before to see my team, Arsenal, play a Europa League semi-final in 2018, and I remember the atmosphere being electric.

It’s a very impressive stadium on the outskirts of the city and dominates the skyline as you leave the airport. Outside, there were AC/DC t-shirts everywhere, with black being the colour of the day. These were being worn by people of all ages — both men and women. The merchandise, food, and drink stalls were doing a roaring trade as we wandered around the perimeter. We got inside just before the support band started. They were called The Pretty Reckless, and the female singer had a great voice.

As the stadium filled, the atmosphere grew, and at 9:30 p.m., you could see two golf carts driving up to the back of the stage, bringing the band. A great video opening played — and we were off, with their opening song: “If You Want Blood (You’ve Got It)”.

This was followed by all the hits, including “Thunderstruck,” “Hells Bells,” “Highway to Hell,” “Back in Black,” “Whole Lotta Rosie,” and “Rock and Roll Ain’t Noise Pollution.”

The “restricted view” we were sold was hardly restricted, to be honest — it was a sound and camera tower that blocked a small part of the stage, but you could still see the rest, and with the big screens too, we were fine.

You can’t help but be impressed by the whole band: lead singer Brian Johnson, who is 77; lead guitarist Angus Young, who is 70; rhythm guitarist Stevie Young, who is 68; drummer Matt Laug, who is 58; and bass player Chris Chaney, who is a sprightly 55.

AC/DC were formed in 1973, making this their 51st year of making music. Brian Johnson’s first words were: “Tonight we’re just going to party and make rock ‘n’ roll.”

Interestingly, Brian Johnson very nearly missed the opportunity to become their lead singer after the tragic death of former frontman Bon Scott in 1980. Johnson was recommended by a fan and was asked to go to an audition in London by a German woman who refused to give the band’s name. All she would say was that the initials were ACDC! He feared he wouldn’t be good enough, but went along anyway, as he was doing an advert for Hoover that was paying good money — and it would cover his expenses.

He sang Tina Turner’s “Nutbush City Limits” and the band’s “Whole Lotta Rosie.” The band all agreed he was the man — and within weeks, they were in the Bahamas recording the album Back in Black, which has become one of the best-selling albums of all time, with estimated worldwide sales of 50 million copies.

Back to the gig — and the band rocked the stadium for a full two and a quarter hours, with the crowd eating out of their hands. The finish was “For Those About ago Rock we Salute You.” Which we and the whole crowd certainly did. 

I have to say, it was probably one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to — and my son said it was one of the best days of his life.

Top Performances at Glastonbury 2025: A Festival Recap

The older I get, the more I seem to be taking notice of—and an interest in—the music industry. Maybe it’s because I’m enjoying being back on radio and sharing what I see and hear with the listeners.

Last weekend, I took an active look at Glastonbury over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and I thoroughly enjoyed what I saw.

On a very positive note, Lewis Capaldi has announced he’s heading on a UK and Ireland tour this year, following his triumphant return to Glastonbury. He left music lovers thrilled as he took to the Pyramid Stage at Worthy Farm on Friday—two years after his battle with Tourette’s left him unable to finish his set.

Days after his emotional return to the festival, Lewis thrilled fans once more as he revealed he’s set to hit the road in September, humorously noting on Instagram that it’s “about time I got back to work.”

The Someone You Loved hitmaker will play 10 dates later this year, performing in cities including Sheffield, Aberdeen, Birmingham, and Nottingham. Lewis also confirmed on Instagram that these would be his only shows in the UK and Ireland.

On a less positive note, police are investigating after hip hop group Kneecap and punk duo Bob Vylan led Glastonbury crowds in separate “Free Palestine” chants. Why artists feel the need to impose their politics on a festival crowd is beyond me. Perhaps it’s because it gives them maximum exposure—but why can’t they just stick to the music?

From a new artist point of view, I turn to an old rep friend of mine called Jason Jones from way back in the ’90s here in Mallorca. Alessi Rose is his daughter, whose rise this year has been meteoric. She’s been touring with Dua Lipa and opened the Other Stage on Friday.

I really enjoyed En Vogue on Friday afternoon—their voices were unbelievable. No help needed as far as they were concerned, as they belted out hits like Hold On, Free Your Mind, My Lovin’, and Don’t Let Go.

Also on Friday evening, Alanis Morissette delivered a performance where her energy matched her on-point vocals. Another artist who needed no help whatsoever.

You can’t get more legendary than Rod Stewart, who at 80 years of age can still rock it with the best of them. To be honest, he struggles a little with the faster-paced songs, but his band and backing singers certainly support him. His unmistakable gravelly tone, though, shows he can still deliver a ballad when it counts. He was joined by other legends: Ronnie Wood, Lulu, and Mick Hucknall.

I know a family that lives here in Mallorca and goes to the festival every year. I asked them for their feedback.

Sarah said:

“My highlights were Alanis Morissette, En Vogue, and Prodigy. This is our 7th time, and the whole experience was the best yet—even though we’ve seen bigger artists. A little less sun, please, next time—if Emily Eavis has that power!”

Yasmin said:

“For me, the best Glasto I’ve ever been to—and this was our 7th time. Lots of exciting surprise sets, from Pulp to Lewis Capaldi, who made his first public appearance after having to leave the same stage at Glasto two years ago—so an emotional comeback.

Personal highlight was Raye—unbelievable voice, set, full band, and all-round brilliant performance. She’s one of those artists where you don’t mind if they play a song you don’t know—her voice is amazing to listen to for days.

No improvements to the festival needed, actually—the festival had already made improvements. Following the overcrowding at Avril Lavigne on the Other Stage last year, they increased the field space in anticipation of the large crowd predicted for Charli XCX, and the crowd was managed brilliantly.

Best weekend of the year, as always.”

Glastonbury Festival will be taking a temporary hiatus in 2026. Every five years, the organisers take a fallow year to allow Worthy Farm to recover and the natural environment to regenerate.

Launching Wave Mallorca: A New Radio Experience

Radio has been a passion of mine since I was a child. You have to remember I’m of an age that is way before the World Wide Web, mobile phones, Social Media, YouTube and Sky TV had started. 

My go-to stations when I was younger were BBC Radio 2 for the football, Radio 1 and Capital Radio for music. My two favourite DJs were Chris Evans and Steve Wright. That’s now moved onto Talksport, BBC Radio 5 Live for the sport and Radio 2 and Virgin Radio for music. 

After spending my life working as a Redcoat, a Holiday Rep and at Pirates, I had dallied in DJing but nothing really significant. Until I was asked to go onto an island radio station called Luna Radio back in the mid 2000s. That was the catalyst to launch Radio One Mallorca back in 2012 which we sold in 2019, and I finished working with them in June 2023.

Back in February last year, I wrote the following, “Steve Wright to me was the G.O.A.T. and the King of afternoon radio. Like Terry Wogan or to me, Chris Evans was to breakfast. It’s made me think that my time in radio isn’t over just yet. A better work, health and family balance and I will be back in the future.” 

So after a short stint on Radio One Mallorca just before Christmas, my colleague Jo and I decided it was time to open our own radio station and I will be back on breakfast on our new station Wave Mallorca from this Monday. 

The station will have a dynamic mix of current and classic hits. We will look to embrace the local community with our presenters and DJ’s, Des Mitchell, Izzy Newman, Charles Nutter plus Jo and me of course. All of us have lived on the island for over 25 years, so we will bring you all the local news and events. I am really pleased that my former Radio Wife Ayesha Wood will be back with me at least once a week on the breakfast show. 

With radio now readily available around the world, we will keep you all up to date wherever you’re listening with what’s happening on our island on a daily basis. 

Charity will also be a very important part of the station, that will see the return of our Radiothon which has raised just under €200,000 for good causes. Also, our Christmas campaign helping those in need here on the island. We will be happy to help promote other charity events, so please get in touch. 

If you’d like to hear about our Sponsorships, feature sponsorships, advertising campaigns, presenter reads and competition prizes. We have something to suit all budgets. Please get in touch, Call: 0034 670 704 311 or email: sales@wavemallorca.com

See you on Monday morning from 07.00! 

The National Anthem Debate

I’m a little bit late to the party, talking about whether the England football manager should sing the national anthem. For me, it’s a matter of choice and if I’m honest I don’t care if you belt it out or remain silent, I just want to see us win a trophy! 

If you didn’t know the current interim England manager is Lee Carsley, who was born in Birmingham, but by default he’s actually Irish and qualified for the Republic of Ireland through his grandmother, who was from Dunmanway, County Cork. He played 40,games for them in total between 1997 and 2008. So all this pile on about he should be singing our anthem or be fired is totally over the top and let’s face it, he’s not actually English. Was it questioned when Swede Sven-Goran Eriksson or Italian Fabio Cabello didn’t sing it whilst in charge of England? Probably not.

In times of triumph and trouble, on royal or state occasions and on the sporting pitch, these anthems lay bare the beating hearts of a nation, united in song. But If you really want to hear an anthem sung the best, then I suggest you go to an international rugby match. 

It made me think of compiling a top 10 of the World’s best anthems. I’ve gone for the most passionate ones, and in true chart style I’ll do it in reverse order. 

Spain: I have to include the country I have lived in for the past 34 years. Although interestingly, “La Marcha Real” is one of only 4 national anthems that doesn’t have any words.

Australia: What I like about their anthem is that from the first two lines, “Australians all, let us rejoice, for we are young and free.” It sounds upbeat and modern and continues on that theme all the way through.

New Zealand: Like Australia this a modern sounding anthem and what I like about it is, it is sung in both Māori and in English. Showing the heritage of the country. If you are at a New Zealand All Blacks rugby game, you’ll also be treated to their traditional “Haka” after the anthem. 

Ireland: They have two anthems, ‘Ireland’s Call’ and “Amhrán na bhFiann” (Soldier’s Song). Their decision to sing two different anthems is a result of the historic divisions in the nation. It is good to see though a united Ireland playing sport together. 

Scotland: It’s an unofficial anthem, but a powerful tune that commemorates the victory of the Scots after Robert the Bruce defeated England’s Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. Normally at the rugby, a lone piper will play the first verse and the crowd are left to sing the second verse on their own.

England: Surely being English, our anthem should be my number one? Whilst I do find it uplifting, it’s a little slow for my liking. I think, like all the other home nations, England should have its own anthem. “Jerusalem” for instance, a hymn that we had at our wedding, would be perfect. 

Italy: You’d be hard pushed to find a more passionate anthem. The lyrics were written by Goffredo Mameli in September 1847, but it was not until 2017 that the Constitutional Affairs Committee of the Chamber of Deputies approved a bill to confirm the “Canto degli Italiani” an official hymn of the Italian Republic.

USA: The Star-Spangled Banner is the national anthem of the United States.

To celebrate their victory over British forces during the War of 1812, U.S. soldiers raised a large American flag at Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, on September 14, 1814. When we took Pirates to Miami in 2006/7 one of the things we did was raise the American flag on the galleon at the end of the show, whilst playing the national anthem. It was always a great ending. I don’t think I’ve seen this anthem sung any better than when Whitney Houston did it in 1991 at the Super Bowl. 

France: “La Marseillaise” is bold, catchy and revolutionary in every sense of the word as it was created during the French Revolution. I think the French just shade the Italians in their passion for their anthem. 

Wales: “Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau” is my number one choice. Even as an Englishman, you can’t help but be moved by this anthem. Especially when it is sung at the national stadium and Wales are playing England at Rugby. The crowd along with the Welsh choir create an unbelievable sound that still makes my hairs stand on end. 

No matter which country they belong to, national anthems are all sung with fervent passion and patriotism. It’s your choice whether you sing them or not.

Please note, I have started a weekly podcast with my good friend Martin Makepeace. It is called “Talking Balearics”. I have been in Mallorca for 34 years and Martin in Ibiza for 33 years, so between us, we have a good knowledge of current affairs across the islands. You can listen on all the normal podcast platforms, and we welcome your input and feedback. 

Richie is the MD at Pirates, the island’s number one night out featuring Adventure, Reloaded and Gringos. Subscribe to receive his blogs at http://www.dadtaximallorca.com

Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi, or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com

The Murky World Of Dynamic Pricing

Dynamic pricing”, seems to be the latest buzz phrase. All because of the sale of Oasis tickets these past couple of weeks. But it’s been around for many years.

Going back in history, we can see dynamic pricing where merchants would haggle overprices based on demand, supply, and even geopolitical conditions! Fast-forward to today’s digital era, where dynamic pricing has become smarter and more sophisticated, thanks to technology and data science.

Ticketmaster brought in dynamic pricing in 2018 after seeing its success in other markets. The basics are, to adjust prices in real-time to reflect market demand. Several reasons that Ticketmaster stated for the reasons behind “dynamic pricing” include the supply and demand aspect for certain tickets, with the idea that those tickets should be adjusted to reflect the “higher demand” for certain concerts. 

Ticketmaster also pointed out that the move was to combat the secondary ticket market, where popular events would sell out only to have those tickets appear on websites such as Viagogo or StubHub for an inflated price. The idea was that the money for an increased cost of a ticket would return to the artists rather than to those who bulk bought tickets to resell elsewhere. So despite Oasis releasing a tweet saying,

“Please note, Oasis Live ‘25 tickets can only be resold at face value via @TicketmasterUK and @Twickets! Tickets appearing on other secondary ticketing sites are either counterfeit or will be cancelled by the promoters.” 

They are in fact to blame for the rise in prices. For artists and promoters, dynamic pricing is a way to maximise earnings from ticket sales. Like I said above, adjusting prices to match demand, they can generate more revenue than they would with a fixed pricing model, especially for in-demand events. In ‘high-demand situations, the profit margins on tickets can be significantly increased, benefiting both the artists promoters and the ticket suppliers. Let’s face it, an Oasis reunion after 15 years was never going to be a low demand event, was it? 

Quite the opposite. Which I’m sure the promoter, the ticket sellers and the band knew anyway. And although it looks harsh on the outside, all are businesses that work for profit and if we were in the same situation we would probably do the same. Or would we? Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran refused to add a dynamic pricing model to their world tour ticket sales. I’m led to believe they increased their prices on the tickets to gain profit that way. Ticket sales and prices would also be reflected in the venues the artists were playing in, but when you’re talking Oasis, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran these are massive stadium events. Meaning whatever, either model is going to make money if priced correctly. 

The most lucrative world concert tour to date is estimated to be Swift’s Eras tour, which has grossed more than $1bn from 60 shows. This is followed by Coldplay, who made $945m over 153 shows between 2022 and 2024. Elton John, a perennial tourer, made $939m from 330 shows in his farewell extravaganza that ran from 2018 to 2023. Ed Sheeran comes in at number 4 at $776m and U2 make up the top 5, grossing $736m.

Eye watering numbers, whichever model of pricing you choose. 

One thing that I think has gone under the radar is that there are three promoters for the Oasis reunion tour, all with links to one company. That company is Live Nation, the US multinational which just happens to own Ticketmaster, the ticket supplier for the tour. Not only this but if you do manage to get to a gig, Live Nation have links to merchandise companies, security companies and even some of the actual venues. You don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work out what’s going on here. Over in the US, the Justice Department, along with 30 state and district attorneys general, have filed a civil antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster LLC (Live Nation-Ticketmaster) for monopolisation and other unlawful conduct that thwarts competition in markets across the live entertainment industry. The lawsuit, which includes a request for structural relief, seeks to restore competition in the live concert industry, provide better choices at lower prices for fans, and open venue doors for working musicians and other performance artists. 

All it took was the outrage of a few hundred thousand gig goers to bring to the attention of the UK government a problem that millions of travellers have faced ever since the invention of the dynamic pricing algorithm. 

For instance, if I want to fly one way from Mallorca to Gatwick on Thursday 31st of October, a popular time for people to leave the island. At the moment, it can cost anywhere between €200 and as high as €400. That’s without any baggage etc. But if I leave it another week, it will cost €67.49.

Looking at the UK, if I want to book the cheapest lodge at Woburn Center Parcs UK for 4 nights between December 23rd and December 27th it will cost £1,699.00. That same lodge from the 6th of January to the 10th of January is £399.00!

I’ve written many times before that it’s time for the UK Government to change their taking children out of school during term time policy. Which would allow Tour Operators, airlines and hotels to drop their prices. Absenteeism is at record levels, according to Department for Education data, with nearly 400,000 penalty notices issued in the 2022-2023 academic year. So what does the Government do? Increases the fines! It’s so blinkered it’s ridiculous. I’ve said this a thousand times, seeing new countries, experiencing new cultures, hearing new languages and tasting different cuisines should be part of a child’s education in my opinion. And it should be in the hands of the parents and teachers to decide if a child could take some time away, not a Government Minister. And I would hope that would enable the Tour Operators, airlines and hotels to price more accordingly, and also it just might solve the so-called tourist overcrowding problems we are seeing around the world. 

Sorry to keep going on about this, but isn’t it obvious?

Richie is the MD at Pirates, the island’s number one night out featuring Adventure, Reloaded and Gringos. Subscribe to receive his blogs at http://www.dadtaximallorca.com

Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi, or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com

The Devil is in the Detail!

I hope the person in charge of PR for the Balearic Islands has been working this weekend. The press and social media has been dominated by headlines such as “Booze You Lose” and “A kick in the Balearics for Boozy Brits”

It was reported that sales of alcohol would be banned from 9.30pm until 8am, but they didn’t explain where. Prompting the pile-on from the press and the keyboard warriors. All headlines have to be put into context and the devil is in the detail, as most of them are either clickbait, old news or fake news. Any excuse to sell a newspaper or get more likes on social media. But the more serious side of this is the effect it has on the holiday industry and, more importantly, the businesses that rely so much on it. I’ve lost count of the amount of people who’ve been asking me has Magalluf banned alcohol? That’s people looking to come away on holiday and, more importantly, concerned business owners.

So let’s put this utter rubbish to bed. Remember that this isn’t anything new. In fact, it’s old news rewritten with the authorities looking to put it back into the public eye, with what they say are stricter rules. Which is where the PR comes into it, do these people not talk to each other? Yes, put out the statement, but at least control how it is presented. 

In January 2020, the Balearic government passed a decree law “against tourism of excesses and for the improvement of quality in tourist zones”. This, however, got lost in the two years of the pandemic. But since the resorts reopened in 2022 and 2023 the rules have been applied. 

It is important to point out that the decree applies to only four resorts in the Balearics but not to the whole of these resorts – Arenal (Llucmajor), Magalluf, Playa de Palma and Sant Antoni de Portmany. Which, in my opinion, is where this is wrong. I’m all for the measures but for all, not by a map that has been drawn to favour certain businesses. There’s a great saying in Spanish which says ‘todos Moros o todos Cristianos’ which basically means everyone should receive the same or be held by the same. 

The part of the decree that created all the fuss over the weekend, which for clarity has been part of it since it was created in 2020, was the following. 

“Displays of alcoholic drinks outside shops or in shop windows are prohibited, and alcohol cannot be sold by shops between 9.30pm and 8am.”

Meaning this has nothing to do with all the restaurants, cafés, bars and clubs, who have certain other rules they have to apply to, but it’s not a total ban as the headlines appeared to state.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. Magaluf has one of the best beaches on the island. All the beach clubs, shows, restaurants, cafés, bars, clubs and hotels have invested huge amounts of money to upgrade their premises and turn the resort around. Having lived and worked here for over 30 years, I think I’m entitled to comment, and I don’t think I’ve seen it looking so good. 

So let’s be positive,  drive this negativity away and look forward to a busy summer. 

Richie is the MD at Pirates, the island’s number one night out featuring Adventure, Reloaded and Gringos. Subscribe to receive his blogs at http://www.dadtaximallorca.com

Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi, or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com 

Steve Wright in the Afternoon A Tribute

I grew up in a time before the World Wide Web, mobile phones, Social Media, You Tube and Sky TV, I know unbelievable isn’t it? The only live football game we were able to watch was the FA Cup Final in May. Match of the Day was on a Saturday night and The Big Match was on a Sunday afternoon, with both showing highlights of the weekends games. My love of football was strong then and I kept in touch with it by listening to BBC Radio 2 or Sport on 2 as it was known. Renton Laidlaw was the presenter with Bryon Butler and Peter Jones the commentators and the full-time results were read by James Alexander Gordon. I think probably this was where my love of radio started. 

I wouldn’t say I was a huge music fan, I would listen to Radio 1 but it wasn’t something I religiously tuned into like I did with sport. That was until March 1981 when a new show started in the afternoons on Radio 1 from 2pm until 5pm. It was called Steve Wright in the Afternoon and it was about to change radio forever. Sadly I sit here today to pay tribute to the man that was the soundtrack to our afternoons. 

I was of course listening to the radio when I heard the tragic news of his passing. It came as quite a shock and it felt like I had lost a member of my family. Steve Wright in the Afternoon was totally different than anything heard before on radio. He brought Zoo radio to our ears. A live radio show which consists of two or more presenters, music, chat, guest interviews, characters, an audience phone-in and competitions delivered in a spontaneous, comic way. Steve’s “posse” as they were known were Janey Lee Grace, Tim Smith with the traffic news coming from firstly Sally Boazman(aka Sally Traffic) and from 2014, Bobbi Pryor. One of the most memorable parts of the shows for me were the characters and I’ve got very nostalgic this past week listening back to some of them. 

Probably my favourite was Sid the manager, “Hello Boy, Sid here” and the sign off would always be , “I’ll speak to you later, Hello?” I can still hear the voice now. A very good friend of mine Ian and I still answer the phone to each other by saying “hello boy!”

Mr Mad “he’s not mad he’s raving mad!”

Mick Jagger, voiced so  impressively by Phil Cornwall who said that he’d heard Jagger himself had said that he’d once heard himself on radio and that he couldn’t remember speaking to Steve Wright. 

Mr Angry from Purley, “I’m so angry I’m going to throw this phone down!”

Old Woman was played by Joyce Frost who was an actual old woman who sadly passed away in 2016. At one point Steve was asked to drop the character because of “stereotyping”, however Joyce stepped in and said she would be devastated if she lost her role on the show.

Others that featured were, Damian the social worker, Gervais the hairdresser, John Bole, Barry from Watford, Elvis with the feature Ask Elvis and so many more.

Steve had great features which held the show together. Things like “It’s another true story” which then became Factoids. In fact he could even make the weather sound fun and interesting. His preparation was second to none, it became his life. His fellow DJ Paul Gambaccini said Steve would finish his show on a Friday and fly to America and be back on Sunday just so he could listen to American radio shows for ideas and content. He would holiday there too and drive around in a car just listening to different radio stations. 

After his move from Radio 1 to Radio 2, Steve Wright in the Afternoon was to become The Big Show. Not in any pretentious way it just was the biggest and by far the best.  On July 1st 2022, Wright announced on air that the show would end in September 2022, as Radio 2 boss Helen Thomas “wanted to do something different in the afternoons”. The final show was broadcast on September 30th. He took it so well and continued his other show Sunday Love Songs which he used to pre-record. It was a show my Wife would listen to and even when you heard it you could hear it still had that Steve Wright fun element. 

My only regret is I didn’t listen enough in his latter years as I’d discovered Hawksbee & Jacobs on Talksport who were on at the same time. 

However on BBC sounds you can find a collection of programmes and podcasts where you can hear Steve doing what he loved best, interviewing some of the biggest stars in the World.

Steve Wright to me was the G.O.A.T. and the King of afternoon radio. Like Terry Wogan or to me Chris Evans was to Breakfast. It’s  made me think that my time in radio isn’t over just yet. A better work, health and family balance and I will be back in the future. 

Richie is the MD at Pirates, the islands number one night out featuring Adventure, Reloaded and Gringos.

Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com 

The Home Of Live Music

Mention Mallorca and the majority of people will agree it is an island of contrast. From the beautiful beaches in the North, to the mountains of the West, the caves and coves of the East and the bustling busy nightlife of the South. There is something for absolutely everyone. 

One thing you might not think about when coming to the island is live music. But over the years Mallorca has hosted some of the biggest artists in the World. Including Elton John, Ed Sheeran, Simply Red and David Guetta to name just a few. This year is looking like a bumper year if you love your live music and it’s happening in all genres.

At Pirates last year we trialled a series of DJs at our Reloaded show, including the legend that is Judge Jules and Fat Boy Slim and Zoe Ball’s son Woody Cook. They were all amazing but the one that definitely grabbed the audience was Charlie Sloth. He played three shows in May, June and September and each one sold out. So this year we decided to sign him for a residency every Friday at Reloaded from May 10th to September 13th. 

Charlie Sloth is a British DJ, hype man, producer, and TV presenter. He worked as a presenter and presented the daily drivetime show on BBC Radio 1Xtra from September 2012 to November 2017. He hosts the Rap Show and curates playlists for Apple Music. In addition, it was announced that Sloth had signed a deal with Jay Z’s Roc Nation in August 2020. In addition to his work on radio, Sloth is also a successful live DJ. He has toured extensively around the world, and he has played at some of the biggest festivals in the world, including Glastonbury, Coachella, and Wireless. He is a popular figure in the UK music scene, helping to launch the careers of a number of successful artists, including Stormzy, Skepta, and Dave.

He is also an investor and brand ambassador for AU Vodka. Set up in 2015 by two teenage boys from Wales who thought they could do things just a little better. One of those boys Charlie Morgan, became famous earlier in his life, as he was the ball boy who was kicked by Chelsea player Eden Hazard in a league cup semi-final. The brand reportedly sold 3.5 million bottles in 2023, they are sold in more than 40 countries and 32 American states. You’ll find it stocked in most UK airports and supermarkets and Easyjet have added it to their drinks and duty free trollies. As celebrities go Charlie Sloth is one of the most genuine I have had the pleasure to meet. Remember that when buying your ticket, not only will you see Charlie Sloth but included in your ticket price is a Club, Show, Experience matched by no one on the island. For tickets please go to http://www.piratesreloaded.com 

Mallorca Live at the old Aquapark just down the road from Pirates will take place this year on June 13th, 14th and 15th. This year they have really pulled out all the stops with three top headliners. Underworld aka Karl Hyde and Rick Smith were part of the the ’90s underground techno scene, the group’s definitive breakthrough came in 1996 when their timeless anthem ‘Born Slippy (Nuxx)’ became the soundtrack of a generation after it was featured in the film Trainspotting. The success of that single catapulted the British duo from the underground into the heart of the mainstream.

Blondie are an American rock band founded in 1974 in New York City by singer Debbie Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band were a pioneer in the American new wave scene of the mid-1970s in New York City. “Heart of Glass” was their best selling single among many others. As a teenager I had a crush on Debbie Harry and had her posters on my bedroom wall, along with football ones of course!

The Pet Shop Boys are listed in The Guinness Book of Records as the most successful duo in UK music history. Since signing to Parlophone Records in 1985, they have achieved 42 Top 30 singles in the UK including 22 Top 10 hits and four number ones. They have released 14 studio albums all of which have made the UK Top 10 as well as album charts around the world. Their best selling single is “West End Girls” and last year saw the release of SMASH – The Singles 1985-2020, the complete collection of their singles from across 35 years of iconic releases. For tickets please go to http://www.mallorcalivefestival.com 

In Palma at Son Fusteret you will be able to see Tom Jones and James Blunt as part of the Palma Concert Series. James Blunt has a connection to the island as he got married here in 2014 and Tom Jones returns to the island after his hugely successful concert in Port Adriano in 2017. Organisers say that more artists will be revealed soon. For tickets please go to http://www.palmaconcertseries.com 

As yet Port Adriano haven’t released their line up for the summer, I’m told it should be ready by the end of April. 

For the younger people out there my understanding is that the Origen festival will return to Son Fusteret with Elrow yet to be confirmed. BCM haven’t yet released their DJ line up but I’m sure it will be as good as last years that featured Meduza, Bob Sinclair, Steve Aoki, Fisher and Joel Corry to name just a few. 

I’m sure that more artists will be released in the coming weeks, making it an exciting year for live music here on the island.

Richie is the MD at Pirates, the islands number one night out featuring Adventure, Reloaded and Gringos.

Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com 

Quality Street

If you’re visiting London you’ll be inundated with recommendations of where to visit. One place that might not be high on some peoples lists is St Pancras International Station. It opened in 1868 and is a masterpiece of Victorian Gothic architecture and one of the most elegant stations in the World.  It is the terminus for Eurostar services from Belgium, Netherlands and France with an exciting collection of shops, restaurants and bars, including Europe’s longest Champagne bar. It is normally the station I go to if I’m going to watch Arsenal, the theatre or go shopping. 

One of the things I love about St Pancras is the piano that is in the middle of the concourse. Now this isn’t any old piano, on the 4th of February 2016, Elton John performed a medley at the station, to promote the album “Wonderful Crazy Night.” Following his performance, he donated the piano to the station, marking it with the inscription, “Enjoy this piano. It’s a gift.

Last week that famous piano hit the news, if you could call it news. It was one of the most ridiculous things I’ve seen in a long time. A guy was playing and live streaming on his you tube channel, when a group of Chinese tourists who happened to be in his shot asked him to stop filming them. They apparently were waiting to use the piano and as the guy who was playing said, “well why don’t you go away and come back when I’m finished?” They refused. You couldn’t make it up. The next day the piano was sealed off and the station said it was due to maintenance work. Can someone get a grip please!

I noticed when travelling to the UK that there was a piano situated between gates C and D in the airport at Palma. One of the things I’ve always wanted to do is play the piano. I can play Match of the Day and the Wombles of Wimbledon, so you can tell I’m no Elton John. It’s on my list of things to do in retirement. 

All this though reminded of how much I love watching street entertainers. Talented musicians have taken to perform on London’s transport network since 2003 with the London Underground Licensed Busking Scheme, brightening people’s journeys with genres from rock, to classical and pop for 364 days-a-year. 20 years on, the network now has more than 200 registered buskers, the busking scheme has up to 39 pitches across 25 central London stations which are clearly defined by a semi-circular floor graphic. 

Staying in London, I would thoroughly recommend you go to Covent Garden as the street entertainers there are second to none. Since the 1660s Covent Garden has never missed a chance to put on a performance. The first record of Covent Garden street entertainment came in 1662, when Samuel Pepys’ diary notes that a marionette show featuring a character named Punch took place on the Piazza. The best place in my opinion to watch the entertainers is the roof terrace at the  Punch and Judy pub. The pub was built in 1787 and was named after the Punch and Judy shows performed there for the children of the flower sellers.

We have street entertainers in Palma, particularly in and around the Cathedral area. I love to watch the statues, who are amazing. All street entertainers should have a licence that can be applied for at Palma Town Hall. 

Our holiday in Jamaica was enhanced by the guys that wandered the beach during the day. In particular the guy in the picture with my son Jude. He did his version of Bob Marley’s ‘One Love’ whilst basically strumming his guitar up and down with no actual tune. No offence but he would have been better off singing ‘One Tooth’ as he was dentally challenged. But he was very grateful for the beer we invited him to, to persuade him to move on. He would in fact treat us to the same rendition pretty much every day and in a strange way we used to look forward to his performance. 

The Bob Marley film ‘One Love’ should arrive in our cinemas here in Mallorca around February 14th. He is still revered in Jamaica and it’s a film I’m very much looking forward to seeing after our holiday there.

Richie is the MD at Pirates, the islands number one night out featuring Adventure, Reloaded and Gringos.

Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com